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Fat Fines: Japan's New Law

July 8, 2008 / Culture, Opinion

Japan has recently instituted a new law that fines employers that hire ‘obese’ employees or employees with ‘obese’ relatives. Men are required to have waistlines slimmer than 33.5 inches and women 35.4 inches. As I read that from the newspaper headlines last month, my first reaction was stunned silence. What happens to those who are tall? One…



Designer Bags: Stares and Status

July 6, 2008 / Culture, Opinion

After experiencing life in Asia for the past month or so, I have come to conscious realization that Asians are infatuated with designer bags. It’s not a bad thing. However, with a little knowledge of designer labels, it has become quite obvious that most (not all) aren’t infatuated with the bag or the brand, but…